The number of protons in an atom determines its atomic number and defines which element it belongs to. Counting the protons in an element involves looking at the periodic table, which organizes elements based on their atomic number.
The periodic table lists elements in order of increasing atomic number. For example, hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, helium has an atomic number of 2, and so on. The atomic number represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element.
To count the protons in an element, you simply look up the element on the periodic table and note its atomic number. Each element has a unique atomic number that corresponds to the number of protons it contains. For instance, carbon has an atomic number of 6, indicating that it contains six protons.
The atomic number also determines other properties of an element, such as its electronic configuration and its position in the periodic table. It is a fundamental characteristic used to identify and classify elements.